"Lucious come here I have someone I want you to meet," Jerome said.
"Really who is it," Lucious asked.
"He's a producer friend of mine his name is Jacobi Steele he's heard your beats and is interested in helping you build your empire," Jerome replied.
Lucious and Jerome walk over to a man who was talking to a group of people.
"Hey, Jerome good of you to make it who's your friend?"Jacobi asked.
"I'm glad I could make it this is my friend Lucious Lyon he's the one on the tape I gave you he's also Frank Gathers top guy," Jerome replied.
"Ah Yes Frank Gathers a good man so Lucious that was you and you created the beats yourself?"Jacobi asked.
"Yes, I've always mixed my beats and wrote my music it's been a dream of mine to own my musical empire like Berry Gordy or Clive Davis," Lucious replied.
"Well you've done a lot of great work getting closer to that goal and I like to help people whom I believe has great potential and you've got it in spades so I want to invite you to come and let me train you in the business side of music you'll still be working for Frank but working with me will give you more experience you see your still new and people will try to take advantage of you right now you know the bare bones of business but you need to know the meat of it as well," Jacobi said.
"Thank you this means a lot to me, "Lucious replied.
"Your welcome now enjoys yourself make some connections," Jacobi said.
"Thanks this is gonna help me get my empire off the ground," Lucious replied.
"Don't worry about it Lucious we both are gonna go far in life," Jerome said.
"Cookie where you at?"Rochelle asked.
"I'm bathing Hakeem what's going on?"Cookie asked.
"Hurry up we got to go, "Rochelle replied.
"Alright hold on a damn minute."Cookie said.
Cookie quickly dries off Hakeem puts a fresh diaper and clothes on him.
Getting the carrier/car seat Cookie puts Hakeem in it and heads out the door.
"Now you wanna tell me what the hell is going on?"Cookie asked.
"Listen Cookie all of us girls are going to have a spa day we need this and it just so happens this place does treatments for babies I don't mean like face masks for boy babies they have specially trained massage therapists who help to get difficult babies to sleep they even teach you how to do it, "Rochelle replied.
"That's all well and good but why the hell did you come to my house like we were about to be in danger."Cookie said.
"I'm sorry Cookie I didn't mean to make you feel that way I just thought you needed this as we all do, "Rochelle replied.
"You know good and damn well we got heat on our asses too since we are married to guys who have targets on their backs not to mention have you forgotten that time we all spent outside the city limits waiting for shit to blow over."Cookie said.
"No Cookie I haven't forgotten and I'm well aware we could face situations like that again at any moment look I wasn't trying to freak you out I just think we all need a little me time because we are more than just wives and mother's we are out here in the trenches doing our best to create a life for our families and it just so happens to piggyback off of Lucious dream of the empire, "Rochelle replied.
They drive in silence pulling up in the parking lot met by the other woman they go inside Hakeem in his carrier looking at all the new things in his line of sight.
"Hey Cookie you brought Hakeem with you I see."Jackie greeted.
"Yeah he just had a bath he's gonna be taking a nap soon though."Cookie said.
They walk into the spa that has wonderful scents hitting you as soon as you step foot in the lobby they were taken to a large room where they had a full package of treatments and Hakeem was lain on out getting rubbed as he cooed and raspberried in contentment.
While Cookie and the others watched taking in everything. "Woah look at him over there he's in baby heaven," Shanice exclaimed.
"Yeah I have never seen him look so relaxed It's wired."Cookie replied.
"My question would be could that be done with older kids or adults?"Rochelle asked.
"They sure can there are no restrictions except if the client is pregnant because then you are restricted to the parts of the body that you can work with so as not to cause the client to go into labor."The masseuse replied.
"I didn't know a massage could induce labor," Jackie said.
"Yes, it's not something commonly talked about between an ob-gyn and a patient unless it's one of the questions parents want to know."The Masseuse replied.
"Damn if I'd known that when I was pregnant with Jacen he might not have been as overdue as he was, "Jackie said.
"Better late than never right," Shanice replied.
"Shanice has a point."Cookie said.
"Have you seen Candace and Carol lately?"Rochelle asked.
"No Candace has turned political wife basically and Carol you know I don't see her much at all."Cookie said.
"That's ashamed since y'all used to be close," Jackie replied.
"These happen sometimes they know where I am we just see each other on daddy's birthday and anniversary more than any other time as of late I'm not keeping them away from me or my children and I don't go to their house because I don't like Durell and how he treats Carol and their children."Cookie said.
"In my open, I think your father would have liked Lucious way better if he was around to see what Durell does to Carol and their kids, "Rochelle replied.
"I don't know but please can we change the subject this is stressing me out."Cookie said.
"Alright Cookie the guys have been excited about how quickly things are progressing with Lucious music career," Shanice replied.
"Yes he met up with Jerome and he told me Jerome had some news for him."Cookie said.
"Jerome is a good guy he's been working with Patrice and Terrence along with Lucious it's been great for them and could only escalate their shared goal, "Rochelle replied.
"Yeah that's true I can't wait to design our house's we will have in New York and California and our office space It's something Lucious and I talked about when we were dating."Cookie said.
"Have you figured out what your gonna be doing when it's all said and done?"Jackie asked.
"Well I have an eye for talent so I think I could bring in new talent I mean after all that's how Lucious and I met in the first place his talent drew me to him like a moth to a flame."Cookie said.
"What about you Shanice what drew you to Bunkie?"Rochelle asked.
"Oh, where do I begin there are many layers to Bunkie and each one overtime drew me to him he's kind sweet loving and I'm sure Cookie can attest to him being extremely funny when he wants to be and he's very witty he's also very protective of me and the kids but most of all he saved mine my sister and my mom's lives. You guys know my dad has odd work hours sometimes he is scheduled to work nights and other times days on this particular night he was working the night shift so mom my sister and I were by ourselves we were in our beds when we were startled awake Mamma jumped up grabbing dad's gun and running to my sisters and my rooms telling my sister to hide in my room with me and lock the door. She then took the light bulb out of the upstairs light and waited for them to come up the stairs with the gun ready to fire she shot they charged at her fighting over the gun Bunkie Thirsty and Vernon heard the noise and came running."Shanice replied.
"What else happened?"Rochelle asked.
"Mamma was fighting with them as they tried to take the gun from her Bunkie Thirsty and Vernon ran up the stairs getting the guys away from my mom they weren't willing to give up so Bunkie and the guys ended up killing them to protect us. Mamma of course called the police and my father who thanked them for protecting us. It was at that moment they thought of the guys as family."Shanice replied.
"Wow talk about fireworks," Jackie said.
Cookie didn't say anything she had spaced out.
"Hey Cookie you Alright?"Shanice asked.
"Hmm?"Cookie asked.
"I asked if you're alright?"Shanice asked.
"Oh, I'm fine."Cookie said.
"You sure?"Rochelle asked.
"Yes, girl I'm fine."Cookie said.
Hours pass the ladies head over to Lucious and Cookie's house while Lucious leaves the meeting with Jacobi with his business card in his pocket.
He met a lot of people made a lot of connections and knew that he and Cookie were getting closer to their dream and the houses in New York and Las Angeles.
Jacobi sat in his office with his business friends.
"So what do you think of Lucious, "Jacobi asked.
"He's a very interesting guy and talented too, "Roman replied.
"Yes, he wants to have his musical empire and getting away from the street life," Jacobi said.
"So why ask us what we think of Lucious?"Grant asked.
"Well I'm wondering if you all see the potential he has Frank trust but we also know Frank is a hothead and he can turn on you quick without remorse," Jacobi said.
"Then why do you deal with him?"Curtis asked.
"Because he has his ear to the ground," Jacobi said.
"That makes sense and as far as I can tell Lucious is a diamond in the rough," Roman replied.
"Besides I want to help him his rep on the street will make him a lot of enemies not to mention our fathers knew each other though I didn't want to tell him I know he's Joe Walkers son," Jacobi said.
"You never mentioned that before, "Roman replied.
"Because It's old news my family and his have a long history Joe's father and my grandfather were both vets were apart of the same platoon when my father heard about Joe's murder he was pissed he wanted to avenge him Joe told my father about his wife and son and his son with Fatima Cousins and they vowed they would do what they could to help the others family should anything happened to them. I know for a fact that Tariq and the FBI want to take Frank down and all those he has in his employee Lucious, as well as his crew, are all collateral damage in this and I'm going to make damn sure that they leave Lucious alone you see I won't have to bribe them or threaten to get this done when you have founding father's blood in you that opens a lot of doors and gives me more power over all government agencies all I have to do is have Lucious and all those associated with him records sealed and cleaned and give them immunity and they will have to leave him alone."Jacobi said.
"Are you ever gonna tell him the truth?"Curtis asked.
"Eventually he will be pissed I'm sure because of the situation with his mom," Jacobi said.
"Why?"Roman asked.
"Joe was his wife's world it was no secret she had bouts of depression but managed it when Joe was alive however she lost it bad after he died more could have been done for her and Lucious but the guys who killed Joe were watching them.
"And they were watching Tariq and Fatima as well dad helped out behind the scenes when he found out Lucious was sleeping on the streets he helped him without him realizing it and the facility Leah is in now was because my father pulled some strings. You see Lucious has only ever used what he knew to make it in a world that would have left him downtrodden and now he's got a wife and kids of his own to support his sisters-in-law don't trust Lucious because of his street reputation and I happen to know that all these other bosses who want Frank out the picture and the police too will use whatever advantage they can get. His sisters-in-law will do whatever it takes to get his wife and kids away from him even if it means putting him in jail for the rest of his life they blame him for their father's death if he never persued their sister their father wouldn't have died of a broken heart."Jacobi said.
"Wow that's some deepshit by just looking at him you would never suspect he's got that kind of past," Curtis replied.
"True because in his case he doesn't advertise anything else but his music," Jacobi said.
"That's smart," Roman replied.
"It is which is why I know he would be a powerhouse in the music business," Jacobi said.
"True but he will need to be groomed for it and what about his wife?"Curtis asked.
"From what I understand her father put a lot of faith in her over her sisters and she helps Lucious in his business I could see them going after her cousin or their other friends to get their primary target which is why I'm working on this before they make their move," Jacobi said.
"Well let us know what you need us to do and we will help any way we can," Roman replied.
Meanwhile back at the Lyon house, Cookie is changing Hakeem while the older children are playing after finishing their homework.
Lucious and the guys walk in the door seeing the kids playing and the other ladies sitting at the table talking.
"Where's Cookie?"Lucious asked.
"She took Hakeem up to change his diaper, "Rochelle replied.
"Okay, I've got some news to share I'll wait for Cookie to come back down," Lucious said.
"Hey Lucious when did you get home?"Cookie asked.
"Just a few minutes ago Cook I've got good news to share," Lucious replied.
"Okay, what is it?"Cookie asked.
"Jerome came to see me while I was working he invited me and the guys to a get together he said there was someone there he wanted me to meet. Reaching in his pocket pulling out the business card hands it to Cookie.
"Who's Jacobi Steele?"Cookie asked.
"He's a guy who wants to help me get our empire dream going, "Lucious replied.
"What's the catch he has to want something from you people just don't offer things like that without wanting something in return."Cookie said.
"I guess we will find out when we meet up again all I can say is he liked my beats and music, "Lucious replied.
"Don't get me wrong Lucious I just don't want you taken advantage of."Cookie said.
"I know baby I'm not upset you looking out for me and I appreciate it, "Lucious replied.
"Any way Lucious I'm happy for you," Shanice said.
"Thanks, Shanice that means a lot," Lucious replied.
Lucious goes over to his table grabbing boxes giving some to Bunkie Vernon and Thirsty so they could put them in their cars.
They go back inside getting more boxes placing them in the trunk as well once they have a full trunk they go inside again and talk amongst themselves.
"So what y'all do today?"Bunkie asked
"We had a spa day and took Hakeem with us he enjoyed himself, "Rochelle replied.
"That's great," Vernon said.
"Yeah, It's amazing that Lucious and Cookie's kids were all very mellow babies, not all parents are fortunate enough having that, "Jackie replied.
"We were just blessed I guess but that's not to say your kids aren't good kids we all work with what we've got."Cookie said.
"She's right I enjoy teaching all the kids how to mix beats," Lucious replied.
"Yeah, they are getting good at that," Rochelle said.
"Who knows they just might want to be like Lucious in the end."Cookie replied.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they do in the future, "Bunkie said.
"Neither would I, "Vernon reply?
They talk for a few more hours and then part ways until the next morning.
The next morning after getting the kids off to school and Lucious and the guys meeting up Jacobi Steele was taking care of business.
"Listen I know what the hell I'm talking about have you ever watched the movie the godfather? do you remember the scene where the boss in Italy wanted Vito killed because he believed when Vito grew up he would avenge his father?"Jacobi said into the phone.
Silence ensues as he listens."Listen I want you to keep watch on the cops investigation into Lucious and I want you to keep tabs on his brother Tariq every bit of evidence every case they try to file I want it all sent to me through the secure channels also I want Cookie Lyon's cousin taken out of prison and moved to a secure location the backlash is gonna hit Frank like a wrecking ball into a building but get it done and let me know when you do."Jacobi said as he ended the call.
"Frank is gonna be pissed when this hits him and what about his daughter you don't think she will want to avenge her father?"Roman asked.
"She might but if he gets killed in a prison riot who could she go after," Jacobi said.